Nonreturn valve



J. D. MAXWELL.

NONR ETURN VALVE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8. 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

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J. D. MAXWELL.

NONRETURN VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8. 1921.

1 20,664, Patented June 27, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR JAME 5 D. MAXWELL I ATTORNEY UNITED STATES JAMES D. MAXWELL, O BROOKLYN, NEi/V YORK.

NONRETURN VALVE.

Application filed June 8, 192

To c'ZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, (ll-inns D. MAXWELL, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Brooklyn, Kings County, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nonreturn Valves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to valves of the non-return type.

The general objects of the invention are to provide a relatively simple, practical and sturdy valve construction which can be readily adjusted, and one in which the parts which are liable to become worn or broken can be easily and inexpensively replaced.

Further special objects are to make it possible to close oil flow through the valve for the purpose of making repairs or renewals; to prevent leakage about the operating parts without resorting to expensive and more or less inetlicient packing; to provide simple means for locking the parts in their variously adjusted relations, and to provide an outside gage or indicator which will visualize to the operator the extent of opening movement allowed to the valve.

In the accomplishment of the above and other objects, I have devised a number of novel features t construction, combination and relation of parts, as will appear from the l'ollowing specification which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

in these drawings, Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a non-return valve embodying various features of the invention, the parts appearing in this view in the valvecloscd relation.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the op erating stem as having been turned to permit the check valve to open and the stop valve element. set to close off the valve passage.

Figure 3 is a brokensectional view illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention.

Figure 4 is a partsectional side elevation of the first form of valve with the check valve element standing in closed position and the stop valve element inoperative.

Figure 5 is a broken part sectional side Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1922.

Serial No. 476,031.

elevation of a double-acting form of stop valve invented by me and with which the non-return valve is particularly adapted to be used in conjunction with boiler feed in stallati'ons.

The casing of the valve is designated 7 and may be of any size or form best suited to the purposes for which the valve is intended. in the illustration this casing has a removable cover or bonnet S carrying the operating stem and the various parts related thereto.

\Vithin the valve casing there is a partition or separation wall 9 having a passage therethrough and a valve seat 10 controlled by the valve 11 which is loosely guided for engagement with its seat after the manner of an ordinary check valve.

, The opening movement of the valve is controlled by an adjustable stop in the shape of a screw 12 having an angular head or shank portion 13 slidingl and non-rotatably held in a corresponding socket 14 in the lower end oi the operating stem 15.

in the construction first illustrated, Figures 1, 2 and 4. the stop screw is supported in a screw seat 16 carried by a nut 17 which is screwed into a socket 18 carried by the bonnet S, and the lower protruding end of the screw is formed as a head 19 directly above and serving as an abutment for the valve.

in the second term of the invention shown. the stop screw engages directly in a screw seat 20. as shown in Figure 3, provided in the top oi the valve and the opening movement of the valve is in this case determincd by the distance at 21 between the upper end of the stop screw and the end wall of the angular socket 14.

Each construction has its advantages, the last described possibly being the cheaper to build, but the first being less expensive to maintain since ordinarily the only part requiring renewal is the stop screw, whereas, in the second form of the invention the valve may also have to be replaced. To secure the bearing 17 for the stop screw 12, in the first form, there may be provided a pin or screw, such as I have indicated at 22, for holding the same against unscrewing movement in its seat.

Q ae eea Leakage about the operating stem is prevented in my invention by providing said stem with a shoulder or seating lacs 23 to cooperate with a seat 2% carried by the casing and these parts are preferably normally engaged under spring tension as by means of a spring 25 coiled about the stem and interposed between shoulders carried by the casing and by the stem respectively. To prevent undue friction, 1 preferably interpose ball or other anti-friction bearings 26 between the ends of the spring and its abutments.

From the description thus far it will be seen that by turning the valve stem, the stop screw can be set to regulate the degree of opening movement of the check valve or to entirely close the check valve against its seat.

To maintain the parts in any desired adjusted relation, 1 have provided in the con struction illustrated, a lock device in the form of a lock nut 27 engaged on the outer exposed threaded portion 28 oi? the stem and adapted to be turned down into engagement with a lived. shoulder 29 on the valve casing. This lock nut is shown provided with an. outstanding handle or linger-hold 30 by which it may be turned. T he adjustment of this lock nut also, it will be observed, serves to vary the tension of the stem-seating spring, :torming as it does, the abutment for the outer or upper end of the spring.

To assist in the proper adjustment of the valve and to enable the operator to know at any time the exact condition of the valve, I provide in the present disclosure, an external gage or indicating device in the form of a movable gage element 31 having a nut portion 82 engaged on the screwthreaded shank of the operating stern and an outstanding head 33 slidingly fitting over the upstanding post or relatively fixed gage element 3%. ()n this post there is provided a marker 35 shown as a washer adjustably .tixed on the post by a set screw 36. The pitch of the screw-th1eaded portion 28 of the operating stem corresponds to that of the stop screw 12 so that the travel of the gage arm is the same as the travel oi the stop screw.

The gage is adjusted so that in the closed position of the valve, the arm stands in contact with the marker Consequently, as the operating stem is turned to permit the valve to open, the gage arm will be moved a corresponding extent and will therefore show by its separation from the marker (see Figures 2 and 8) the extent of opening of the check valve. The operator thus has a direct reading gage, showing at all times the condition of the check valve.

In order that the gage shall be in an accessible and easily read position, i have shown the same is rotatably adjustable about the valve ste" the upstanding post :tor this purpose be carried by a split collar 37 zuljustably secured by a clamping screw 38 on the upstanding neck portion 39 of the cover or bonnet. Upon loosening the screw it will be seen that the gage device may be bodily rotates about the axis of the valve stem, after which adjustment, the marker or stop may be proper y on the upstanding post so as to be contacted by the marker arm when the valve is in the closed position. .Vhen the parts are thus set, the gage will indicate the variously adjusted relations of the valve.

In the valve as herein disclosed, provision is made for positively closing off the valve opening independently ol the checl: valve so that in case or injury to thecheck valve or need iior replacement of this valve or any of its related. parts, the ilow can be cutoil and the valve casing be opened up to permit such repairs.

The means for this purpose here shown as a valve element all) positioned beneath the partition wall 9 and .l'aced to engage the valve seat tl. at the lower end of the partition passage.

Jhis so-ealled stop valve is shown as carried. by a stem having a scrowtln'eaded bearing in the bushing 4&3 which screwed into the lower side of the valve casing. This lnishing or plug ot a diameter at least equal. to that of the valve which it supports so that by unscrewing same, the valve can be entirely removed from the casing, for instance, for renewal or in- .ir ection or parts. The screw stem 42 is iown as connected with the valve by means of a head llheld in the body of the valve by a confining nut screwed into a seat "formed in the under side oi the valve. This construction enables the screw to advance the valve into sealed engagement with the valve seat ll, so as to close off the pas sage through the partition (Figure F2) or to be retracted (lligure 1) so as to leave the valve passage un bstr1u:ted. To prevent leakage about this operating screw, the under side of the valve 4:0 is preferably formed with a face 1-? to engage a eorrespending seat $8 on the inner face of the supporting bushing as. This provides a positive seal when the stop valve lO is retracted.

To make the parts tight when the valve is projected, I preferably provide a. loci; nut 4:9 on the outer end'oit the operating screw which can be turned up to bind the screw and hence make the parts leak-proof as well as securing the parts in their adjusted relation.

in Figure 2 I have illustrated the stop valve as closed. against its seat to shut oil the valve passage and it will be evident that in this condition of the parts the bonnet can be lifted off and the check valve parts be entirely removed. This feature is particularly important for boiler feed lines since it enables the check valve of one boiler to be repaired without interfering with the feed of the other boilers, it only being necessary in such a case to shut off the injured check valve while repairs are being made and without interference with the operation of the pump feeding the other boilers of the system. When making these repairs, the check valve will also, of course, be cut oil from the boiler as by means of a stop valve interposed between the check valve and the boiler.

In Figure 5 I have shown a stop valve as used for this purpose, it being shown as connected at one side with the boiler shell and as having a pipe connection 50 at its other side adapted to be placed in communication with the outgo side of the check valve (Figure lVith the two valves shown in Figures and 5 connected in this relation, it will be seen that the stop valve (.lfiigure 5) can be closed to shut olt the check valve from the boiler and that then with the check valve open, the auxiliary or stop valve element can be seated to entirely close oil the valve passage from the feed pumps, after which the entire check valve mechanism is accessible for repairs or renewals.

What 1 claim is:

1. A non-return valve comprising a casing provided with a valve seat, a loose valve for engagement with said seat, an adjustable stop for limiting the opening movement of said valve, an operating stem having a longitudinally self-adjusting connection with said adjustable stop, said stem and casing having cooperating seating faces, spring means operating on the stem to yieldingly hold said cooperating faces engaged including means for positively holding said cooperating faces in engaged relation.

2. A non-return valve comprising a casing provided with a valve seat, a loose valve guided to cooperate therewith, a removable screw seat in line with the valve, a stop for the valve having a screwthreaded portion engaged in said screw seat and an angular shank projecting beyond the same, an operating stem having a rotating bearing in the valve casing and provided with an angular socket slidingly receiving the angular stem of the stop screw.

3. A non-return valve comprising a casing provided with a valve seat, a loose valve guided to cooperate therewith, a removable screw seat in line with the valve, a stop for the valve having a screwthreaded portion engaged in said screw seat and an angular shank projecting beyond the same, an operating stem having a rotating bearing in the valve casing and provided with an angular socket slidinglv receiving the angular stem of the stop screw, the operating stem having a seating face and the casing having a seat to receive the same in all rotary adjustments of the operating stem.

41. A non-return valve comprising a casing provided with a valve seat and having a removable cover, said cover having a screw seat over the valve seat, a nut engaged in said screw seat and provided itself with a screw seat, a stop screw engaged in the latter screw seat and provided with an angular stem, a loose valve guided to coopcrate with the valve seat and controlled in its opening movements by said stop screw and an operating stem journaled in the cover and having an angular socket slidingly receiving the angular stem of the stop screw.

A non-return valve comprising a casing provided with a valve seat and having a removable cover provided with a socket in line with said valve seat, a member detachably secured in said socket and having a screw seat, a stop screw engaged in said screw seat and having an angular shank, a valve guided to cooperate with the valve seat and controlled in its opening move ments by said stop screw and an operating stem journaled in the cover and having an angular socket slidiugly receiving the angular stem of the stop screw.

6. A non-return valve comprising a casing provided with a valve seat, a check valve guided to cooperate with said valve seat, an adjustable stop for predetermining the opening movement of the check valve, an operating stein for setting said stop and a gage operable in accordance with the movements of said stem to indicate the extent of movement accorded the check valve and including a movable gage element having a screwthreaded connection with the stem and a fixed gage element supported in cooperative relation to said movable element.

7. A non-return valve comprising a casing provided with a valve seat. a check valve guided to cooperate with said valve seat, an adjustable stop for predetermining the opening movement of the check valve, an opcrating stem for setting said stop and a gage operable in accordance with the move ments of said stem to indicate the extent of movement accorded the check valve and including a movable gage element having a screwthreaded connection with the stem and a fixed gage element supported in cooperative relation to said movable element, said fixed gage element having a normally fixed member adjustable in respect to the movable gage element.

8. A non-return valve comprising :1 casing provided with a valve seat, a check valve guided to cooperate with said valve seat. an adjustable stop for predetermining the opening movement of the check valve, an operating stem for setting said stop and a operable in accordance with the move ments oi said stem to indicate the extent of movement accorded the check valve and including a support rotatably adjustable on the valve casing and carrying an upstanding post, the movable gage element being slidably engaged over said post and having a screwthreaded connection with the operating stem.

9. A non-return valve comprising a casing provided with a valve seat, a check valve guided to cooperate with said valve seat, an adjustable stop for predetermining the opening movement of the check valve, an operating stem for setting said stop, a gage operable in accordance with the movements of said stem to indicate the extent of movement accorded the check valve and including a support rotatably adjustable on the valve casing and carrying an upstanding post, the movable gage element being slidably engaged over said post and having a screwthreaded connection with the operating stem and a stop adjustably secured on said post in position for cooperation with the movable gage element.

10. A non-return valve comprising a casing having a valve seat, a check valve guided to cooperate therewith, a stop screw for limiting the opening movements of the check valve, an operating stem journaled in the casing and connected with said stop screw, said operating {stein having a seating taco and the casing having a cooperating seatand a spring for holding the seating face thereon engaged with its seat.

11. A non-return valve comprising a casing having a valve seat, a check valve guided to cooperate therewith, a stop screw for limiting the opening movements of the check valve, an operating stem j ournaled in the casing and connected with said stop screw, said operating stem having a seating 'lace and the casing having. a cooperating seat, a spring for holding the seating face thereon engaged with its seat and ball bearings interposed at opposite ends of said spring to enable free turning of the stem while held under tension of the spring.

12. A non-return valve comprising a casing having a valve seat, a check valve guided to cooperate therewith, a stop screw for limiting the opening movements of the check valve, an operating stem journaled in the casing and connected with said stop screw, said operating stem having a seating face and the casing having a cooperating seat, a spring for holding the seating face thereon engaged with its seat, ball bearings interposed at opposite ends or said spring to enable free turning of the stem while held. under tension of .the spring and a lock nut engaged on the stem and forming an abutment for one end of the spring.

13. A valve of the character disclosed comprising a casing provided with a valve seat, a valve uided-to cooperate with said seat, operating means for determining the opening movement of said valve and a gage for indicating the extent of such movement and including a fixed gage element rotatably adjustable on the valve casing and carrying an upstanding post and a movable gage element slidably engaged over said post and operably connected with the valve operating means aforesaid.

14:. The structure of claim 13, with a stop adjustably secured on the post in position for cooperation with the movable gage element.

15. A valve of the character disclosed comprising a casing having a valve seat, a check valve guided to cooperate therewith, an adjustable stop for determining the opening movement of said valve, an operating stem having a longitudinally self-adjustable connection with said stop, said stem and casing having cooperating conical seating faces, a lock nut on the stem, a spring for holding said conical :l aces yieldingly engaged, one end of the spring abutting against said look nut, said lock nut adapted to engage a part of the casing for holding the conical seating faces positively engaged.

16. A valve of the character disclosed comprising a casing having a valve seat, a check valve guided to cooperate therewith, an adjustable stop for determining the opening movement of said valve, an operating stein having a longitudinally self-adjusting connection with said stop, said stem and casing having cooperating conical seating faces, a lock nut on the stem adapted to engage a part of the casing for holding the conical seating faces positively engaged and a spring exerting its force on the stem for holding said conical faces yieldingly engaged.

117. A non-return valve connn'ising a casing provided with a valve seat, a loose check valve guided to cooperate therewith, a removable screw seat in line with the valve, a stop for the valve having a screw threaded portion engaging in said screw seat and a projecting shank and an operating stem having a rotating bearing in the valve casing and having a nonrotating but longitudinally' sliding self-adjusting connection with the stem of the stop screw.

18. A valve of the character disclosed comprising a casing provided with a valve seat, a valve guided to cooperate with said seat, operating means for determining the opening movement of said valve and a gage for indicating the extent of such movement and including a fixed gage element rotatably adjustable on the valve casing and a cooperating movable gage element operably connected with the valve operating means aforesaid, one of said gage elements carrying a post and the other gage element being slidably engaged with said post.

19. In a take of the character disclosed, a Valve casing having a seating face, a valve operating stem having an exposed end portion and provided with an element having a seating face for engagement with the seating face of the casing and a lock nut engaged on the exposed outer portion of the stem and carrying a tubular extension forming a housing about such exposed poltion of the stem.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of June, 1921.

JAMES D. MAXXVELL. 

